Cal Crutchlow took full advantage of a crash by World champion Marc Marquez to win the Australian Grand Prix for his second career victory.
ADVERTISEMENTCal Crutchlow took full advantage of a crash by World champion Marc Marquez to win the Australian Grand Prix for his second career victory.
Crutchlow began his 103rd MotoGP from second on the grid behind Marquez, who sealed his third world title with victory in Japan last weekend.
Pol Espargaro started the fastest but Marquez forged his way back to the front by the end of lap one.
Crutchlow then won his battle with Espargaro to slot into second place leaving only Marquez to chase down.
His pursuit of the Spaniard and first place came easier than expected as Marquez crashed out on lap ten.
Behind, Multiple world champion Valentino Rossi had worked his way through the field from 15th position to second but Crutchlow refused to be another Rossi victim.
Crutchlow was not to be denied his second win of the season and crossed the line to become the first ever British rider to win in Australia and the first since Barry Sheene in 1979 to win more than once race in a season following his triumph at Brno.
Rossi’s second place meanwhile improved his chances of finishing runner-up this season and now leads third-placed Jorge Lorenzo by 24 points with two races left.
Hamilton celebrates milestone victory in Austin
Nico Rosberg may lead the championships standings but his teammate Lewis Hamilton has now closed the gap to 26 points after the British Mercedes driver won his 50th career Formula One race in Texas.
The triple world champion started the race from pole and kept the lead all the way to the chequered flag.
Hamilton’s fourth win at the Circuit of the Americas ends a frustrating barren stretch that dates back to Germany in July.
Rosberg, who has won nine races this year to Hamilton’s seven took second place on the day after dropping back to third from the grid.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo rounded out the podium in third place in his Red Bull.
There are three races left this season – the next is the Mexican Grand Prix this coming weekend.